Maximum concentration, molarity, of Carbonic Acid ?

In summary, the maximum concentration of H2CO3 at STP cannot be accurately calculated due to ambiguity in the question and the difficulty in measuring the equilibrium of the reaction. Additionally, the maximum concentration does not depend on the volume of the solution.
  • #1
morrobay
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What is the maximum concentration, Moles/liter, possible for one liter of
H2CO3 at STP.
And how is that calculated ?
 
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  • #2
morrobay said:
What is the maximum concentration, Moles/liter, possible for one liter of
H2CO3 at STP.
And how is that calculated ?

First of all - maximum concentration doesn't depend on the volume, it will be the same in gallon and in a drop.

Second - this is very ambiguous question. STP doesn't define partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and that's what concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide will depend on. That's the easy part, but it not giving the answer.

Then, even knowing concentration of carbon dioxide, we don't know concentration of carbonic acid, as we can't easily measure equilibrium of the reaction

H2O + CO2 <-> H2CO3

instead we can measure equilibrium of the overall process yielding dissociated HCO3- and H+:

H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+

but that again doesn't answer the question.
 

FAQ: Maximum concentration, molarity, of Carbonic Acid ?

What is the maximum concentration of carbonic acid?

The maximum concentration, or molarity, of carbonic acid is approximately 0.14 M at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. However, this can vary depending on factors such as temperature and pressure.

How is the maximum concentration of carbonic acid determined?

The maximum concentration of carbonic acid is determined through a process called titration, where a known concentration of a base is added to a solution of carbonic acid until the solution reaches a neutral pH. The volume of base added is then used to calculate the molarity of the carbonic acid solution.

What is the significance of the maximum concentration of carbonic acid?

The maximum concentration of carbonic acid is important in understanding the behavior of this compound in solution, such as its acidity and ability to buffer changes in pH. It also plays a role in processes such as carbon dioxide transport in the body and the formation of carbonic acid in natural water sources.

How does temperature affect the maximum concentration of carbonic acid?

As temperature increases, the maximum concentration of carbonic acid also increases due to the endothermic nature of the dissociation reaction. This means that at higher temperatures, more carbonic acid molecules will dissociate into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, resulting in a higher molarity.

Can the maximum concentration of carbonic acid be exceeded?

Yes, the maximum concentration of carbonic acid can be exceeded by either adding more carbonic acid or by decreasing the volume of the solution. However, this will result in a lower pH and may lead to the formation of other acidic species in the solution.

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